The otherwise cheery and cherubic Indira Nagar will seem totally empty. The happening MG Road area will sport a deserted look. There will be no one found loitering around in the old suburb of Yelahanka. Malls will be closed, as will be schools, shopping centres and district community centres. Bangalore, on the whole, as will the other cities of Karnataka, sport a quiet and peaceful look akin to the one Rahul Dravid sported when he used to calmly absorb all the pressure with his team in dire straits.
But then, it could be said, that what’s happening in the state of Karnataka is probably for everyone’s best interest. If, in case, you weren’t informed then please note that starting April 27 this month, the entire state of Karnataka is going to observe a lockdown for two full weeks.
Yes, you read that right- 14 days on the stretch!
But is that all that one needs to know pertaining to the latest developments from Karnataka?
Well, no! In addition to the lockdown in Karnataka, another vital decision has been taken. The government has decided that vaccinations for those in the age-group of 18 to 45 will be conducted free of cost in the government hospitals.
These critical decisions, it must be duly noted, were announced by the Karnataka CM Shri BS Yediyurappa on April 26 in lines with the difficult ongoing circumstances in the southern state of the country. As a matter of fact, the lockdown will come into effect starting the night of April 27. But this wasn’t just a sudden decision; it came into effect post a proper Cabinet meeting that was held on Monday morning.
And it could be said that the decision to enforce the lockdown stems directly with the trouble experienced on a very hurtful Sunday, i.e., April 25.
On April 25, Karnataka recorded a high of 34,000 COVID-19 cases and that too in a single day.
Furthermore, here’s what The News Minute happened to report on the trending story:
We have come to a decision after speaking to all ministers and experts,” Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said in a press briefing after the cabinet meeting.
People will be allowed to buy essential services from 6 am to 10 am, the Chief Minister confirmed. The state is already under night curfew and weekend lockdown under existing restrictions as the number of cases have been on the rise since the start of April.
That being told, the city of Bangalore has been reeling under the COVID stress, of late and the same can be gauged by what can only be called worrisome numbers. It can be said that the month of April has proven itself to be the bane of all COVID concerns for one of India’s most-loved cities.
Bangalore has recorded several deaths due to the ongoing new wave of the COVID pandemic. From the start of the month, Bangalore has witnessed a big surge of deaths, the number amounting to 1,170.
Things, therefore, have been anything but normal for a city renowned for its prowess in IT, engineering and for exuding a charming vibe. Although, the period back in July 2020 was far worse wherein Bangalore had evidenced no fewer than 962 deaths in a single month.
For now, it is sufficient to say that one must adhere to the COVID 19 norms and practice social distancing at all costs.
Stay strong Karnataka!